HC Deb 07 April 1960 vol 621 c555
33. Mr. Jay

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an application for an industrial development certificate by Martin Baker Aircraft, Limited, has yet been made or granted for building industrial premises at Chalgrove, Oxfordshire.

Mr. J. Rodgers

No, Sir.

Mr. Jay

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, quite apart from the fact that many people object altogether to the leasing of the airfield to this firm, it would be an unsuitable location from all points of view for building new factories and that any suggestion of that kind would be much resented.

Mr. Rodgers

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's concern. The company, however, has planning permission to carry out research and development work on ejector seats for aircraft, but it has told the Air Ministry that it has no intention whatever of seeking to erect a factory at Chalgrove.

Mr. Ronald Bell

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the company has its manufacturing side in my constituency and that it would be quite absurd to ask it to do its testing in the North of England?

Mr. Rodgers

That has been appreciated.